Birding at Oldbury Power Station

@opsbirding.bsky.social
Twitter: @opsbirding

My book, about birding at the Power Station is available on eBay or at Oldbury Community Shop.

15/9/25 – The Wryneck again flushed from grass to bushes at shore-end of Lagoon 2. And a 4hr seawatch at Shepperdine in 40mph wind and showers produced an adult winter Grey Phalarope on the shore and 3 Curlew Sandpiper. (#139 species for me at OPS this year.)

13/9/25 – A Wryneck flew up from the slope at the shore-end of Lagoon 2 and landed in bushes by path at 9:30am. I managed to get some video. (A new species for me at OPS; my 209th species. The only other one here was on 20/9/2020.) The bird was refound at 11:30am by Mark Coller. Just after this, the first Curlew Sandpiper of the year was on the shore nearby (and MC had 2 here) and while photo'ing that, an Otter came out of the estuary on the Tidal Res. shore, went up the seawall and ran along the Lagoon 1 fence ! Video. What an amazing 15 minutes !
There were plenty of other excellent birds around too (in fact 55 species seen): a fem/juv Redstart (L2), the Black Redstart on the jetty (now sporting adult male plumage), 6 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat, a Whinchat and a Wheatear with 3 Stonechat on fence by jetty. Plus 3 Mute Swan on a mudflat then flew upriver. (#138 species for me at OPS this year.)

12/9/25 – Pillhead Gout at HT in heavy showers: A juvenile Spoonbill flew upriver, circled up higher and continued (it was seen earlier at Severn Beach - photo below by Matt Hall, and later at Sharpness), 5 Wheatear, 2 Common Sandpiper and 1+ probable Curlew Sandpiper with other small waders. (#136 species for me at OPS this year.)

8/9/25 – Andy Middleton's WeBS count highlights: a Greenshank, 14 Common Sandpiper (11 & 3), 2 Teal, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Wheatear and 3 Spotted Flycatcher.

Cyclamen flowering at Shepperdine, by NHS bench (photo by AM).

6/9/25 – Matt Plenty/Andy Middleton had a Glossy Ibis flying upriver in the morning. (Part of a massive influx of this species into the UK during the week, from France/Spain where they are expanding their range.) Also: c400 House Martin, 150 Swallow and 40 Sand Martin around the site which then flew to SW, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Willow Warbler and a Wheatear.
(Glossy Ibis is a new species for the site - species #238. #138 species for all-comers at OPS this year.)

Photos by MP - thanks !

5/9/25 – Mid-morning on the yacht club common, a Grasshopper Warbler showed well, hopping about on the ground for a few moments before diving back into the brambles. Also there, 3 Whinchat and 5 Stonechat; and a Greenshank in the Pill with c20 Redshank. Mike Prior reporte: 1 Wheatear, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, and lots of butterflies: Peacocks, Red Admirals, Common Blues, Comma, Small Heaths and one Small Copper.

4/9/25 – 4 Ruff with the small waders at Shepperdine this morning, then on the Tidal Res. shore and later flew downriver. Also, a Whimbrel and 8+ Spotted Flycatcher still along bridleway to shore. A nice yellow juvenile Willow Warbler at the jetty, and a Chiffchaff there to compare. #135 species for me at OPS this year. This sfternoon, Craig Lewis counted 11 Spotted Flycatcher (5 on entrance fence and 6 along bridleway) and also had a Whinchat (photo by CL below) and a Wheatear on Lagoon 2 fence.

3/9/25 – 7 Arctic Tern went downriver between showers at 3:35pm. An OPS record count of 9 Spotted Flycatcher along bridleway to shore, and a Nuthatch with them. There was an increase in the small waders at Shepperdine: 4 Knot, 170 Ringed Plover and 30+ Dunlin. Matt Plenty had 4 Wheatear in a field at Shepperdine.

2/9/25 – 7 Spotted Flycatcher (5 on fences/trees along bridleway to shore and 2 on fences by jetty), with 5 Stonechat, 5 Blackcap (also flycatching) and a Lesser Whitethroat. Also a Tree Pipit calling to NE and a Rock Pipit on jetty (plus 2 at yacht club yesterday). Matt Plenty reported a Wheatear on Lagoon 2.

1/9/25 – 3+ Spotted Flycatcher still on security fences at end of bridleway to shore, with 2+ Stonechat.

31/8/25 – Andy Middleton reoported 4 Spotted Flycatcher on security fences at end of bridleway to shore. (And a brief view of a probable Pied Flycatcher on Lagoon 3.)

30/8/25 – A Garden Warbler and 2+ Spotted Flycatcher in bushes on Lagoon 3 (ENE corner), a Whinchat at yacht club, a Wheatear on Shepperdine fence, 12+ Stonechat (6 x Lagoon 3, 4 x demolition area/jetty, 2 x yacht club) and a Greenshank in the Pill.

29/8/25 – Matt Plenty reported: 10 Shag upriver at 10:55am (photo by MP), 5 Spotted Flycatcher in entrance trees and main path to shore, the Black Redstart, Nuthatch, Coal Tit, 2+ Willow Warbler and 10+ Chiffchaff. Also a Brown Argus butterfly on Lagoon 2 (at top of slope up, from car park).

28/8/25 – At least 5 Spotted Flycatcher in trees at side of entrance road. And a Kingfisher flew across Lagoon 1 !

27/8/25 – 2 Whinchat with 3+ Stonechat mobile around the yacht club common, and 2 Greenshank at Pillhead Gout at HT. #134 species for me at OPS this year.

26/8/25 – The Black Redstart by the jetty with 4 Whitethroat, and a probable Little Stint at Shepperdine with c15 Ringed Plover and 4 Dunlin before HT. Plus the Nuthatch heard Lagoon 1.

The Black Redstart is starting to show some male plumage (assuming it is the same individual, which I think it is, as it has same habits).

25/8/25 – Some good birds among the 58 species today: 2 Greenshank on the Pill (with the Redshanks, then flew upriver), a Little Stint flew upriver at HT giving trilling call, another Redstart on the fence by Lagoon 2 pond, 6 Teal and a Shoveler flew into the estuary, 2 Little Grebe (lake and Pill), 5 Whitethroat, a juv. Sedge Warbler (Lagoon 3) and 6 Stonechat. Matt Plenty also had the Nuthatch by the lake, c80 Ringed Plover and 9 Dunlin. #133 species for me at OPS this year.

24/8/25 – A Spotted Flycatcher in S corner of Lagoon 3, late morning.

23/8/25 – The juv Redstart on the fence at Oldbury cricket pitch still and a Black-tailed Godwit flew upriver. Louise Bailey reported an Elm Zigzag Sawfly larvae in the meadow - an invasive species from Asia. (Yesterday, I counted the large gulls loafing on the mudflats: 210 Herring Gull, 85 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 4 Great Black-backed Gull.)

22/8/25 – A juv/fem Redstart on the fence at Oldbury cricket pitch and in the horse paddocks. Matt Plenty flushed the Quail again from the path to SW of Lagoon 3 to the stubble-field. Also 68 Ringed Plover. Morris Benson reported (mid-morning): 2 Spotted Flycatcher and a Black Redstart on fence between Lagoon 2 and buildings. Peter Bryant reported a Clouded Yellow butterfly (Lagoon 2/waterworks) and a Southern Hawker (photo by PB below). #132 species for me at OPS this year.

21/8/25 – 5 Spotted Flycatcher in trees by the lake this afternoon - video (also a pair of Bullfinch bathing in the video), plus the Black Redstart back again in the demolition area. #131 species for me at OPS this year.

20/8/25 – 6 Stonechat (pair at yacht club, fem & 3 juv by jetty).

19/8/25 – A juv. Sedge Warbler on Lagoon 3 is the first since July. A large flock of hirundine-types over the lake: 80 Swallow, 15 House Martin and 20 Sand Martin. In the afternoon at Shepperdine (HT): 82 Ringed Plover, 60 Turnstone and 2 Dunlin. Plus a Yellow Wagtail to NE. Rob Jenner saw a Kingfisher on the lake.

18/8/25 – A Quail flushed from the stubble-field to SW of Lagoon 3. I was walking back from the yacht club and approaching the footpath just before Lagoon 3, it flew low, away at an angle, across the corner of the field towards the field edge by Lagoon 3. Only seen through a short gap in the tall hedge, for 1 or 2 seconds. But head pattern seen and small (about the length of a Song Thrush without the tail). [A yachter told on Friday how his dog had flushed a "small Grouse" from the seawall/saltmarsh edge, on two days from the same place between yacht club and Lagoon 3. "Greyey brown in colour". But that was "during the yachting Festival", which was the last week in July !]
A Great White Egret was in the lake at dawn, and then sat in a tree there. Also 8 Sand Martin upriver. This afternoon, Matt Plenty reported: a moulting adult Black Tern upriver over the 'ledges' buoy, 4 Clouded Yellow and a Brown Argus (L2 shore) butterflies (photo by MP below).
(Quail is a new species for the site - species #237. #130 species for me at OPS this year and #134 for all-comers.)

17/8/25 – Matt Plenty reported 4 Clouded Yellow butterfly.

16/8/25 – 4 probable juvenile Shag upriver at 8am (with an adult Cormorant, which landed on the Tidal Res., as others flew on). (Later 5 seen flying and 3 on water in Gloucs..) A juvenile Marsh Harrier flew down the river at medium height (photo by Matt Plenty). A Kingfisher at the sluice and a Common Sandpiper. 123 Mallard counted. (#129 species for me at OPS this year.)

15/8/25 – A Yellow Wagtail at the yacht club - video, plus Wheatear, 2 Kingfisher at Anchor pub bridge, 2 Common Sandpiper, a Clouded Yellow butterfly and Jersey Tiger moth.

Painted Lady caterpillar.

14/8/25 – The Nuthatch by the lake and entrance - heard and seen. 4 Grey Wagtail (3 over to SW), 4 Common Sandpiper in the Pill and 4 Greylag Goose to NE. Matt Plenty reported: 3 adult Sanderling (photos by MP), 11 Ringed Plover, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and HT roost at Pillhead Gout: adult Yellow-legged Gull, 400+ Black-headed Gull (only 2 juvs!), 46 Common Gull and 32 Lesser Black-backed Gull.

13/8/25 – Some interesting birds with a tit-flock in wood by lake: a Nuthatch calling, a Coal Tit and a nice yellow Willow Warbler. A Yellow Wagtail low to SW over Lagoon 3 and at Shepperdine: 8 Ringed Plover and a Dunlin.

12/8/25 – Matt Plenty reported 2 Avocet flying from Littleton towards yacht club this morning.

11/8/25 – The Whimbrel still lingering, and 4 half-grown juv. Shelduck are on their own, but seem ok. Also 10 Greenfinch coming out of roost at dawn and sitting on the wires over the lake, twittering, and 3 Stonechat at yacht club. Andy Middleton's WeBS: 26 Redshank, 65 Turnstone, 2 Little Egret (one roosting in 'the Plantation' over HT), 54 Mallard, 2 Lesser Whitethroat (juvs) and 2 Mistle Thrush (juvs).

10/8/25 – Barry Dursley reported a juv. Marsh Harrier on Lagoon 2.

9/8/25 – 5 Common Scoter on the Tidal Res. at dawn, then pushed off by incoming tide and flew downriver at 6:40am - video. Also, 5 Kestrel, inc. 4 not long fledged, practising around towers.

8/8/25 – A Southern Hawker dragonfly on Lagoon 2.

5/8/25 – A Whimbrel has been around all week, now 24 Redshank in the Pill and a new juv. Shelduck on its own (all the others have flown to moulting areas). (Sad report of a Spaniel chasing a Roe Deer all the way from The Windbound site (Shepperdine) to Lagoon 1, and then the deer leaping over the dog to get away and running allthe way back to where it came.)

5/8/25 – Andy Middleton photographed a Clouded Yellow butterfly, and also a Small Copper. (Report of Porpoise(s) off the yacht club last week.)

2/8/25 – Another first site record, this time for Oak Bush-cricket.

1/8/25 – A Clouded Yellow butterfly flying along the shore, and a juv. Wheatear over Pill from yacht club (latter spotted by Andy Middleton). AM also reported: 10 Blue Tit, 150 Carrion Crow, 62 Mallard, 9 Meadow Pipit and 12 Redshank. [On Wednesday I did the Big Butterfly Count round Lagoon 3. and in those 15 mins, plus another 15, the full count was: 1 Brimstone, 1 Comma, 7 Common Blue, 1 Gatekeeper, 7 Large White, 3 Small White, 6 Meadow Brown, 2 Painted Lady, 2 Red Admiral, 2 Speckled Wood, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 8 Small Heath.]

29/7/25 – Another Kingfisher - flew along the seawall from Shepperdine, over the hedge and landed on Lagoon 1, calling ! Then flew back to the seawall and upriver from where it came from. A juvenile, dispersing, most likely. Plus, yesterday I had a Water Rail run across the path by the pond on Lagoon 2 - most unusual in July.

28/7/25 – This afternoon: juvenile Goshawk disturbed from trees along entrance road, seen at just 20 yards distance, flew low across road into trees on shore side. And 2 Kingfisher (one juv) along Pill (at sluice, and later seen from bridge), plus a juvenile Grey Heron there. Pillhead Gout HT roost: 300+ Black-headed Gull and 35 Common Gull; 20 Turnstone roosting on green buoy at Shepperdine. Heather England reported 2 Stonechat (1 juv) in paddock, plus Brown Hawker and Southern Hawker dragonflies along the Pill.

25/7/25 – The first site record of Jersey Tiger moth (with bright red underwing in flight), at E end of Lagoon 2. And an Oak Eggar moth also (large, red-brown, very fast flying).

24/7/25 – c400 Black-headed Gull, 17 Common Gull, 1 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper and 17 Curlew in HT roost at yacht club. Lois Pryce also reported a Little Grebe.

23/7/25 – The Black Redstart heard singing briefly near the waterworks. And the first site record of Bee-wolf (a species of solitary Digger Wasp that catches Honey Bees). And loads of Bumble Bees on the lovely Knapweed on the shore side of Lagoon 3 - most of which were Red-tailed Bumble Bees (in various states of wear and fading - thanks for id's, Matt).

22/7/25 – A juv. Stonechat in reeds on shore by Lagoon 3, and 9 Redshank in the Pill. Plus, a juv. Peregrine attacking BH Gulls, then picked out a lone Oystercatcher and dived at it a couple of times over the estuary, forcing the wader to ditch in the water. The Peregrine made a couple of passes, making the wader dive, but then gave up.
PS. The Swan yesterday was in the brambles underneath the power lines over the lake and I suspect that it hit the lines to end up there. I recently asked National Grid about putting bird-scarers on the power lines to stop this happening, but their answer was that the lines here are too thick to do this (?!)

21/7/25 – Early this morning: a Garden Warbler and 2+ Lesser Whitethroat along main rhine (at far end from road), 2 Common Sandpiper and 4 Whimbrel (Shepperdine), a Mute Swan rescued from brambles on the slope between the lake and Lagoon 3 (!) and this Peregrine holding a juv. Green Woodpecker ! (It looks like a GSW in photo, but I got a very good view of it low over my head.) 3 other Green Woodpecker seen, inc. 2 juvs.. Also 9 Common Gull with c200 Black-headed Gull feeding on shore. (And I have received the ringing report for the BH Gull seen on 2nd July - ringed as a nestling at Hosehill Lake, W. Berks. on 11/6/2022, then seen at Slimbridge on 5/5/2023, back in Berkshire 21-29/5/2022 and also 3/5/2024.) Andy Middleton had 5 Willow Warbler down the bridleway to shore later.

20/7/25 – Matt Scott reported a calling Yellowhammer at Nupdown Road, Shepperdine.

14/7/25 – Andy Middleton reported 4 Common Sandpiper and a Red Kite.

10/7/25 – Matt Plenty reported: a Great Crested Grebe floating upriver on tide, 3 Sand Martin and a Siskin over.

8/7/25 – Andy Middleton reported an adult female Marsh Harrier up river at the Yacht club and 73 Curlew (c70 on far side of estuary).

7/7/25 – A lovely small Grass Snake slithered from the Lagoon 2 path into cover. The grounds-staff reported 5+ small Pheasant flushed from the waterworks and a bird's nest in the blue tractor by the jetty (stopping them using it !) - Pied Wagtail, is my guess, as they are active around there.

6/7/25 – A Stonechat reported by BOC walkers.

5/7/25 – 7 Mistle Thrush feeding on Lagoon 1.

4/7/25 – 2 juv. Kestrel still in the vent hole and a Small Copper butterfly

3/7/25 – A Nuthatch calling and seen along the tarmacked track to Lagoon 2.

2/7/25 – Single, early returning, Dunlin and Common Gull (a 1st-summer), with 120 Black-headed Gull (inc. 5 juvs.) on the shore at HT. One BH Gull with darvic ring '24X1' on left leg. And a Hummingbird Hawkmoth on Lagoon 3, above the lake.

1/7/25 – More unusual juveniles: 3 Bullfinch (with parents), 3 Kestrel (2 fledged, 3rd still in vent hole on tower), 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker (plus a female) and a probable juv. Cetti's Warbler (calling 'chet', repeatedly, by lake). And the Black Redstart singing loudly from the jetty early morning - video, including odd 'ball-bearings in a bag' part of song.

Juvenile Bullfinch (with Chiffchaff) and 2 juv. GS Woodpecker on the grass - video.

30/6/25 – 2 Common Sandpiper on the shore at HT and Andy reported a Mediterranean Gull by the jetty. (That is 86 species at OPS this month - my best June total.)

28/6/25 – An adult Yellow-legged Gull on the mudbank in the Tidal Res., this morning. (#128 species for me at OPS this year.)

26/6/25 – Some unusually juveniles this morning: Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Green Woodpecker (entrance) and 3 Whitethroat (L2 outfall). Plus, delighted to see 2 juv. Oystercatcher with parents on shore today. And the Black Redstart was singing intermittently in jetty area, yesterday.

25/6/25 – One (and probably two) Goshawk circling at Shepperdine, with a massive swirl of 400 corvids (Jackdaw and Rook) circling high nearby, and also a Buzzard for comparison. And the first Gatekeeper butterfly of the year. (#127 species for me at OPS this year.)

24/6/25 – Very pleased to see the juvenile Oystercatcher with parents, on the jetty at HT. It is looking much more like the adults now.

23/6/25 – A Ringlet butterfly on Lagoon 3. And a new species for OPS - Black Drone Fly.

Ringlet and new Black Drone Fly.

20/6/25 – A Mediterranean Gull (appropriately in the sun and 31 deg C). And a 2ft long Grass Snake sunbathing across the middle of the road (just managed to avoid it !). Plus Scarlet Tiger moth seen.

19/6/25 – The Black Redstart heard (only) singing in the industrial area from Lagoon 2, and a Little Owl heard at dawn from Westend Farm. A Crossbill 'chip'ing over to NE. At Shepperdine, there was a pair of Stonechat with 4 juvs.! And some late news of 4 Glow-worms along the tarmacked track to the yacht club on evening of 11th June. Sadly, the Oystercatcher pair seen again with no juv., but an extra Coot has appeared on the lake (5 adults plus a juv now). Also 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker (equal OPS record), one of which flew from the hedge of Lagoon 3 directly out over the estuary (lost it when it got a quarter of the way across).

18/6/25 – A Common Blue butterfly on Lagoon 2. (Not seen the juv. Oystercatcher for a few days now.)

17/6/25 – 2 young Stonechat have fledged at Shepperdine ! A male was with them, but no female, and I have not seen her for 2 weeks. Wondering if the male fledged them himself ? And a new brood of 12 Shelduck, plus the existing broods of 8 & 7 still around. Lois Pryce saw a Weasel run across the entrance road.

16/6/25 – A juvenile Black-headed Gull with 4 adults.

14/6/25 – 1 (or 2) Nuthatch calling (and seen) by entrance this morning (seen in each of the last 5 years now) and a Tawny Owl calling there (at 7:45am). Great White Egret feeding on shore at Pillhead Gout. (#126 species for me at OPS this year.)

One of two Sedge Warbler singing on Lagoon 3.

13/6/25 – Insect surveyors in the meadow next to tarmacked track to Lagoon 2 found a Six-banded Clearwing Moth ! It also seems to be a very good year for 7-spot Ladybirds. (And I can confirm the white form of Sea Radish, from seed heads, yesterday.)

The Clearwing moth and 7-spot Ladybird adult and larvae of Harlequin Ladybird (top right of photo).

12/6/25 – The Black Redstart (seemingly a female) singing again from the jetty - video. A late Turnstone alone on the green buoy. There seems to be just one juv. Oystercatcher left. And possibly the white form of Sea Radish by the jetty (with the normal yellow Sea Radish).

10/6/25 – A Marsh Tit was a surprise, in a large mixed tit flock along the overgrown/muddy track from car park, next to orchard - video of it preening. (Last was here in 2017, and just 6 previous records going back 46 years!) Also a family with 4 juv. Pied Wagtail on the jetty, and just one Coot chick left on lake. Andy Middleton reported a Garden Warbler singing at back of lake and 7+ Mistle Thrush in the orchard (family group), and another was on Lagoon 1. Plus, 350 Pyramidal Orchid at shore end of Lagoon 2. (#124 species for me at OPS this year.)

8/6/25 – 3 Sanderling reported (the latest date for OPS by over a week !).

7/6/25 – Loads of young birds around and 8 Rabbit is the most for a long time. A female Pheasant with a small juv on Lagoon 1, the first probable Whitethroat juv, the pair of Oystercatcher still have 2 juv on the shore, broods of 8 & 7 Shelduck still, 3 broods of Blue Tit, 1 of Great Tit and 1 of Long-tailed Tit. Plus, 75 Mallard (inc. broods of 8 & 3 on lake still), 49 Canada Goose in a moulting flock and 2 Greylag on the saltmarsh at Pillhead Gout,

6/6/25 – 25 Dunlin still (most in summer plumage) and 5 juv Moorhen on the lake.

5/6/25 – A Great White Egret flew inland to SE this morning. (#123 species for me at OPS this year.) Also, a Grey Wagtail nest in the 'Seal Pit' of the waterworks and 9 Swift over the towers (in showers).

4/6/25 – A fem + juv Lesser Whitethroat on Lagoon 3.

3/6/25 – Good news - there were 2 Oystercatcher juvs. on the shore this morning ! Andy Middleton had the Garden Warbler singing again. A flock of c20 Ringed Plover and c20 Dunlin flew downriver past Shepperdine and a Red Kite there flew out across the estuary, but turned back in middle and went upriver - video. Plus, two broods of Shelduck:7 at Shepperdine and 8 towards yacht club.

2/6/25 – The Oystercatcher pair with one remaining juv., have moved to the shore. That must have been a stressfull journey - through 2 security fences, down a 3 foot drop on the seawall and across a saltmarsh ! Still very high numbers of waders at Shepperdine: c90 Ringed Plover and c40 Dunlin. [My second highest R Plover count for June (after 120 on 3/6/23), and my record June count for Dunlin (next highest was 25 on 2/6/24).] Also a Turnstone in summer plumage (latest OPS date by 3 days), a family of Moorhen (3 juv) on the lake and the first Marbled White butterfly of the year.

31/5/25 – The Garden Warbler singing in same place on Lagoon 2 (and seen by Andy Middleton) - video of sound (only). Just 1 juv. Oystercatcher seen. A family of 5 Linnet at the yacht club and a juv. Blackcap new out the nest by the Visitor's Centre. 38 Ringed Plover and 24 Dunlin at Shepperdine. (#122 species for me at OPS this year.)

Bullfinches and Reed Bunting.

Rufous-shouldered Longhorn Beetle (uncommon and localised).

30/5/25 – Matt Plenty found a Garden Warbler singing in W corner of Lagoon 2. (And a possible Pied Flycatcher reported near the pond on Lagoon 2.) Matt also reported: 51 Ringed Plover and 54 Dunlin at Shepperdine and the first Bee Orchids and Meadow Brown butterflies.

28/5/25 – The Oystercatcher chicks have hatched ! Three of them, I think. (From the size of them, they may have hatched a day or two ago.)

27/5/25 – The first brood of 8 Shelduck ducklings on the shore at Shepperdine, and 2 Dunlin. The Oystercatcher is still sitting on the nest in the demolition area, and the chicks should be out in the next day or two (started sitting on 1st May and incubation is 24 - 27 days). Also a Stonechat singing there this morning.

26/5/25 – Young birds starting to emerge: 4 small juvs with a pair of Coot on the lake, a Great Tit family, a juv Robin and a Great Spotted Woodpecker juv calling from a nest hole. Matt Plenty reported: 3 Sanderling (in summer plumage), 12 Ringed Plover and 7 Dunlin at Shepperdine, after HT.

19/5/25 – 2 Red Kite low over to E this morning.

18/5/25 – Alex Dommett photo'd a male Long-horned Bee (a nationally rare species).

16/5/25 – Heather reported: a Cuckoo calling on both Lagoons 2/3 and dragonflies on small pond (Lagoon 2): 5m & 2f Broad-bodied Chaser, 1 Four-spotted Chaser, 1 Hairy, and multiple Large Red and Common Blue Damselflies. And on the lake, mainly Four-spotted Chasers and surprisingly a female Scarce Chaser (usually on Oldbury Pill).

15/5/25 – A Sandwich Tern flew upriver as the tide rose, at 8:05am, with 27 Black-headed Gull - video. On the shore at the yacht club were a Grey Plover and 2 Common Sandpiper, plus the remaining 2 Canada Goose goslings. Also, the first family of Long-tailed Tit on Lagoon 3 (SW corner). (#121 species for me at OPS this year.)

14/5/25 – A Kingfisher on the lake this afternoon. (#120 species for me at OPS this year.)

13/5/25 – 2 Greenshank on the shore by Lagoon 3 at dawn and 4 Avocet flew upriver at HT - video. Also upriver: 14 Black-headed Gull, 2 House Martin and 4 Swallow. Plus, a Mistle Thrush not long out of the nest, a pair Greylag Geese nest-prospecting the island in the lake, a Pheasant eggshell on Lagoon 3 path and a Great Spotted Woodpecker seen at a probable nest-hole.

12/5/25 – A few waders still passing through: 4 Whimbrel, 1 Grey Plover and 10 Dunlin. And the first Painted Lady butterfly of the year.

8/5/25 – It is rather quiet on the estuary at present, with just 4 Whimbrel of interest. But I can use the time to catch-up on some exciting news. A Black Redstart was singing most of last month ! First heard on 3rd April, from the industrial area, it sang almost continuously from 15th to 28th, but not heard since - video. What is odd, is that it is in female-type plumage, so assume that it is a 1st-winter male that has not acquired breeding plumage. (The species has sung here before - a 1st-summer male in May 1999, and a female was seen carrying food into a building in May 1994.)

3/5/25 – A 'Commic' Tern upriver with c10 Black-headed Gull early am.

Lesser Whitethroat, Pheasant and a very pink Hawthorn.

2/5/25 – a female Marsh Harrier to NE over Lagoon 2 this afternoon, 2 young Raven wing exercising on a pylon and an Oystercatcher sat on a nest for the 3rd day in the demolition area behind the jetty.

1/5/25 – This morning to HT (mainly upriver): 9 Sanderling (1+8), a Greenshank in the tidal pools at Shepperdine, c20 Black-tailed Godwit, 9 Whimbrel, 2 Ringed Plover and a Yellow Wagtail. 8 Skylark around, inc. a pair carrying food to nest on yacht club common. (#119 species for me at OPS this year.)

30/4/25 – Vismig over HT at Pillhead Gout (birds to NE): a flock of 17 Bar-tailed Godwit and a summer plumaged Grey Plover, 2 Yellow Wagtail (inc. a bright male low) and a surprise male Tufted Duck. Also 25 Ringed Plover, 16 Whimbrel and a Dunlin. The Canada Goose family from the lake have walked to Oldbury Pill for the 5th year on the trot !! Only 3 of the 5 2-day old goslings survived the journey.

29/4/25 – A high HT at Pillhead Gout: 3 Greenshank, 5 Bar-tailed Godwit (one ringed Pink on L, Green/Yellow/Pink on R - has a ring missing from L leg, but ringed between 2011 and 2013 on the Dutch Wadden Sea islands Texel or Ameland during May), c25 Whimbrel, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Turnstone. A flock containing 6 Knot, 3 Ringed Plover and 17 Dunlin flew upriver. Also 2 Wheatear, 1 Swift, 5 Swallow, 1 Sand Martin, 2 House Martin, 3 Mute Swan upriver and 5 Little Egret to E. (No sign of the Canada Goose family on the lake - watch-out for them at Oldbury village/yacht club where they usually walk them to !) 66 species this morning - best this year. Heather England reported: 2 Hairy Dragonfly, multiple Common Blue and Blue-tailed Damselflies and 3 Large Red Damselfly at the lake this afternoon. (#118 species for me at OPS this year and #123 for all-comers.)

28/4/25 – The Canada Goose pair have 5+ juvs on the lake ! And are getting on well with the Mute Swans this year. Managed to get a photo of one of the c10 Whitethroat.

27/4/25 – Matt Plenty reported: a male Ruff, a Yellow Wagtail over, 10 Whimbrel and a Grey Wagtail singing at the jetty. (#119 species for all-comers at OPS this year.)

26/4/25 – Ben Ofield reported a Grasshopper Warbler on Lagoon 3, the first 5 Swift of the year and 2 Common Sandpiper. (#118 species for all-comers at OPS this year.)

25/4/25 – A Cuckoo reported.

24/4/25 – 24 Whimbrel mainly round the yacht club, but mobile.

23/4/25 – An Arctic Tern feeding on the Tidal Res., a Cuckoo seemingly passing throughto NE, 7 Whimbrel and 6 Wheatear at yacht club. (#115 species for me at OPS this year.)

21/4/25 – The first Cuckoo on Lagoon 3 (not calling, sat in tree), and a pair of Oystercatcher mating on the shore. Louise Bailey reported a Grasshopper Warbler on Lagoon 3. (#114 species for me at OPS this year.)

20/4/25 – A female Marsh Harrier flew from Lagoon 3 and circled, gaining height, over Oldbury village, and 6 Whimbrel at Shepperdine.

19/4/25 – 6 Bar-tailed Godwit on the estuary, and a Whimbrel still. Plus 4 Lesser Whitethroat singing (2 x yacht club, 2 x Lagoon 2), and the first 5+ Mallard ducklings on the lake.

18/4/25 – The Oystercatcher pair were making a scrape for a nest on the demolition site behind the jetty. The estuary was very quiet over HT, but a Whimbrel on the shore and a Tree Pipit heard on Lagoon 3. And my first 2 Lesser Whitethroat of the year on Lagoon 2. (#113 species for me at OPS this year and #117 for all-comers.)

Whimbrel and Reed Warbler.

17/4/25 – 3 Grasshopper Warbler 'reeling' near yacht club, 2 Whimbrel upriver, calling, then later at Shepperdine, a Yellow Wagtail over, and singing warblers: 11 Reed Warbler, 10 Whitethroat, 4 Willow Warbler, 4 Sedge Warbler and Matt Plenty had the first 3 Lesser Whitethroat. (#112 species for me at OPS this year and #117 for all-comers.)

15/4/25 – The first Yellow Wagtail and a Tree Pipit (both over), a Grasshopper Warbler by yacht club (video of sound) , 6 Whitethroat, 5 Willow Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler and 4 Reed Warbler. (#111 species for me at OPS this year.)

13/4/25 – Andy Middleton reported the first Whimbrel of the year at the yacht club, and the Oystercatcher pair on the demolition area where they bred last year. (#115 species for all-comers at OPS this year.)

13/4/25 – Matt Plenty reported a Grasshopper Warbler on Lagoon 3.

12/4/25 – The first 2 singing Sedge Warbler (one each on Lagoons 2 & 3), 5 Whitethroat, 5 Willow Warbler and 4 Reed Warbler. On the demolition site behind the jetty were: a late female Black Redstart, a male Wheatear (with another at yacht club) and a male Stonechat. (#110 species for me at OPS this year.)

Sedge Warbler and Blackbird Egg.

11/4/25 – Andy Middleton reported: a Wheatear at the squeaky gate, a Reed Warbler and a Willow Warbler. And by the entrance was the Mistle Thrush below.

10/4/25 – The first Whitethroat and Grasshopper Warbler singing in hedges by the yacht club at dawn, and 4 Reed Warbler (one on Lagoon 3, 3 on Lagoon 2). Heather England reported 2 Wheatear at yacht club. (#109 species for me at OPS this year.)

I quite often find Moles dead on the paths - possibly killed by Weasels and abandoned when disturbed. The bench by Lagoon 3 is back ! And looking good as new.

Heather England's photos below of: Whitethroat, Wheatear, Common Sandpiper and Green-veined White butterfly.

8/4/25 – Some good birds this morning; a Cattle Egret flew upriver at 7:35am, an Avocet flew in from downriver and fed on the shore by Lagoon 3 (video) and 2 Reed Warbler sang (one each on Lagoons 2 & 3). (#107 species for me at OPS this year.)

7/4/25 – Singing warblers: 11 Willow Warbler, 10 Blackcap and 20+ Chiffchaff. A 2nd-summer Mediterranean Gull upriver with Black-headed Gulls, and a pair of Great Black-backed Gull mating on a mudbank.

6/4/25 – vismig (12:30-14:30) to NE: 105 Sand Martin (inc. tight flock of 50 at 2pm), 39 Swallow, 12 House Martin, 50+ Meadow Pipit, 50+ Linnet, 18 Goldfinch, 1 Red Kite and a Sparrowhawk tracked for a mile along shore at medium height and then went N across estuary. 8 singing Willow Warbler around lagoons and a flighty Tree Pipit in scrub at S end of Lagoon 3. (#104 species for me at OPS this year and #108 for all-comers.)

5/4/25 – Matt Plenty reported a male Redstart on Lagoon 2 this afternoon. This morning: 5 singing Willow Warbler and 3 Gadwall (pair + male on lake). (#107 species at OPS this year for all-comers.)

4/4/25 – Vismig (10am to 1pm) to NE into wind and murk: a flock of 11 Grey Plover, 18 Dunlin, 1 Greylag, 50+ Meadow Pipit, 50+ Linnet, 70+ Goldfinch, 21 Swallow, c10 Sand Martin and the first 6 House Martin of the year. Also, a Grey Wagtail singing in the waterworks. (#103 species for me at OPS this year.)

3/4/25 – At yacht club: 2 Little Ringed Plover feeding over the Pill, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit (one here, other flew in with BH Gulls and landed on Shepperdine shore - both in winter plumage), 3 Grey Plover, 3 Dunlin, 11 Oystercatcher and 20 Meadow Pipit feeding. Vismig to NE into cold wind: 225 Woodpigeon, 200 Meadow Pipit, 25 Linnet, 15 Goldfinch, 20 Black-headed Gull, 2 Swallow, 1 Sand Martin, the first Redpoll of the year and a Redwing at dawn. (#102 species for me at OPS this year and #105 for all-comers.)

The Little Ringed Plovers on the saltmarsh, then went for a fly-about before returning.

Bar-tailed Godwit with Black-headed Gull.

2/4/25 – 4 Wheatear on saltmarsh SW of Oldbury Pill (inc. first female), and 4 Shoveler (m + 2f on estuary and fem on lake). Plus a pair of Gadwall on the lake.

1/4/25 – Over a high High Tide, a flock of 27 Little Gull to NE (with 4 Black-headed Gull and a Black-tailed Godwit which joined them from the shore) - video. My 100th species at OPS this year. Also 11 Sand Martin and a Swallow into the ENE breeze, and 4 Willow Warbler singing. 64 species seen by me today. Andy Middleton later reported: a Red Kite, 53 Redshank, 17 Teal and 4 Wigeon.

All the Little Gull were in Winter plumage, except for one in 1st-w (leading bird in first photo below, bottom-right).

The female Shoveler still on the lake. Black-tailed Godwit on shore.

31/3/25 – In first hour after sunrise: a Great Crested Grebe on the tidal res. (close in off Lagoon 3), 2 Mediterranean Gull in lovely summer plumage went upriver with some Black-headed Gulls and a Little Ringed Plover feeding over the Pill from the yacht club. Plus, 45 Chiffchaff singing around whole patch and the female Shoveler still on the lake. Mike Davis reported a Wheatear S of the Pill in afternoon. 62 species seen by me today (best this year and second best March total ever). (#99 species for me at OPS this year (2 better than last year by end March, which was worst since 2014) and #102 for all-comers (same as last year). And my Patchwork Challenge score is 106 - worst since 2015!

Wood Anemonies looking lovely in the orchard, with Lesser Celendine and Blackthorn flowers in background. And Wheatear by MD.

29/3/25 – HT at Oldbury Pill/ Pillhead Gout: 132 Curlew, 64 Redshank, 16 Oystercatcher and the Common Sandpiper still. Matt Plenty reported 2 Willow Warbler singing and a fem. Shoveler on the lake, and the Water Rail there again. (It rumages about under the tree on the right, when stood with the road behind you.) Also 4 Blackcap singing and a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly.

28/3/25 – A Water Rail on the bank of the lake - video. And a Swallow through.

27/3/25 – 2 Mute Swan on the lake, with 2 Canada Goose. Nothing else new in; Willow Warbler and 2 Blackcap singing. Also 4 Skylark singing (yacht club common, Shepperdine and 2 in fields).

26/3/25 – A female Black Redstart on waterworks fence this afternoon. Reuben Veal reported a Sand Martin (on Birdtrack).

25/3/25 – 2 young Otter back in lake.

24/3/25 – At Shepperdine this afternoon, the first Swallow feeding and Willow Warbler singing. Andy Middleton reported 23 Redwing at Shepperdine this morning. (#97 species for me at OPS this year and #100 for all-comers.)

21/3/25 – Andy Middleton reported a Marsh Harrier over Pillhead Gout, heading south.

20/3/25 – The first 2 Blackcap of the year, singing, at river end of Lagoons 1 & 2 - video. Also a very high count of c130 Turnstone on shore at Shepperdine, before roosting on green ledges buoy. And 4 Ringed Plover there, and a Mute Swan in middle of estuary. (#95 species for me at OPS this year.) Lois Pryce reported a Marsh Frog calling in the pond by Lagoon 2 (new species for OPS!), and butteflies: 8 Brimstone, 1 Peacock (newly emerged) and a Small Tortoiseshell.

19/3/25 – The first 2 Sand Martin of the year went upriver this afternoon. Also a Red Kite high to NE, 6 Buzzard circling together, 23 Chiffchaff and 2 Fieldfare. Plus butterflies: 2 Brimstone and 2 Comma. (#94 species for me at OPS this year, and #97 for all-comers.)

Heather England photographed this Kingfisher on Oldbury Pill.

18/3/25 – A Red Kite low over Oldbury village at dawn, the first 2 Wheatear (males in yacht club area), and vismig to NE: 100 Meadow Pipit, 80 Woodpigeon, 2 Pied Wagtail. (#93 species for me at OPS this year, and #96 for all-comers.)

Wheatear and Stonechat. The yachters were mucking about on the boats.

17/3/25 – Andy Middleton reported : a Sanderling and the Common Sandpiper again, in Oldbury Pill, plus 80 Snipe around. (#91 species for me at OPS this year, and #94 for all-comers.)

16/3/25 – Chris Teague photographed the earliest Painted Lady for S. Gloucs.! And Heather England reported the Common Sandpiper again.

14/3/25 – A juv/female Crossbill was feeding in a pine tree along the track to the S of Lagoon 3, but flew when I reached for my camera. (#91 species for me at OPS this year.)

13/3/25 – Pillhead Gout this cold morning: c300 Curlew, 14 Oystercatcher and a Grey Plover. Also, 55 Fieldfare and 40 Redwing feeding in field there (and 65 more of latter around site).

11/3/25 – A Red-legged Partridge flushed from path on Lagoon 2. (The last one at OPS was found in March 2021.) And some vismig to NE: 22 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 10 Chaffinch, 8 Meadow Pipit, 2 Goldfinch and 1 Pied Wagtail. (#90 species for me at OPS this year, and #92 for all-comers.)

10/3/25 – Andy Middleton reported the male Black Redstart, 4 Coot and 84 Wigeon.

8/3/25 – 12 Chiffchaff still, 16 Lesser Black-backed Gull upriver and, interestingly, a female Great-spotted Woodpecker drumming - video. Daffodils looking nice in the orchard. Heather England photo'd a Common Sandpiper and a Skylark at the yacht club (photos below - thanks!). Also 6 fresh Brimstone and 1 Peacock butterflies.

7/3/25 – Cowslips flowering on Lagoon 3 (and see notice below).

6/3/25 – 13 Chiffchaff (11 singing) this morning; the male Black Redstart just inland of the jetty; and 2 Mute Swan flew downriver, and then returned back upriver.

5/3/25 – The male Black Redstart vocal around the jetty, 3 Chiffchaff and on the lake:a Water Rail seen behind the reeds and 3 Tufted Duck (2m, 1f).

This Pussy Willow was full of bees already.

4/3/25 – 2 Chiffchaff singing.

3/3/25 – A Treecreeper was singing in the wood near entrance (video of sound), there were 5 Little Grebe on the lake (inc. 2 pairs) and 4 Stonechat (2 pairs) at yacht club.

2/3/25 – Andy Middleton reported the Coot pair nest-building.

1/3/25 – Reported on Birdtrack: 4 Buzzard, 4 Collared Dove, 3 Greylag Goose, 2 Siskin, 2 Stonechat, 1 Tufted Duck and a Water Rail.

28/2/25 – A Comma butterfly in the sun this afternoon, and the first Tufted Duck of the year on the lake (a drake). Also, a Kingfisher reported again. (#89 species for me at OPS this year, and #91 for all-comers.)

27/2/25 – A Chiffchaff in the hedge over the Pill is probably a migrant.

26/2/25 – A male Black Redstart mobile around the jetty this afternoon.

25/2/25 – Pair of Shoveler at Shepperdine. And Andy Middleton reported 4 Little Grebe on the lake and 100 Redwing.

24/2/25 – The Barn Owl was in the fields inland of the yacht club at 6:05pm and 105 Pied Wagtail going to roost in the reedbed on Lagoon 3. Also, a Kingfisher reported in the Pill at The Anchor Inn this morning. (#88 species for me at OPS this year, and #90 for all-comers.)

22/2/25 – A pair of Little Owl on a gnarled old tree near Westend Farm. (The first pair I have seen here since 2006!) Also an adult Mediterranean Gull with c500 Black-headed Gull and c500 Common Gull flying between fields and estuary. The lake is lively, with 3 Little Grebe (a pair chasing a 'trilling' male) and 3 Coot (pair chasing sole one). And the Damsons have already started flowering. Clare Dark reported a Barn Owl late evening, along the tarmac'd track to the yacht club. (#87 species for me at OPS this year, and #89 for all-comers.)

20/2/25 – A remarkable increase in temperature to 12 degs C at dawn, but no new birds. This afternoon, Matt Plenty reported: a Siskin over, 1 Ringed Plover and 7 Stonechat.

19/2/25 – 6 Stonechat (2 pairs + 2m) and 105 Redwing (Lagoon 1).

18/2/25 – The first 3 Siskin of the year (all singles, over), a male Gadwall on the lake, a female Black Redstart at the water works and c60 Lapwing flying over to NE, on a cold morning (zero degs C). (#86 species for me at OPS this year, and #87 for all-comers.)

17/2/25 – Heather England reported the adult male Marsh Harrier again and 4 Stonechat. And 3 Mute Swan flew to SW (first for year!). Matt Plenty found a Green-winged Teal at Littleton (photo by MP below), and another pair of Stonechat there.

(The first new species for a month ! #85 species for me at OPS this year, and #86 for all-comers.)

15/2/25 – 3 Golden Plover in field on way to yacht club with c50 Curlew. At yacht club: 146 Lapwing, 38 Redshank, c500 Dunlin and a Greylag with 24 Canada Goose. Also 'wisps' of 31 & 15 Snipe flying about.

14/2/25 – Andy Middleton reported: 72 Snipe, 210 Curlew, 900 Dunlin, 100 Lapwing, 21 Redshank, 52 Teal, 125 Wigeon, 210 Common Gull and 4 Fieldfare.

13/2/25 – A Golden Plover with c100 Lapwing flying around.

12/2/25 – 2 Otter seen on the lake again, by Rob Jenner, and the male Marsh Harrier.

11/2/25 – 2 Otter on lake at 9am; caught fish and ate it on bank - Video.

10/2/25 – The adult male Marsh Harrier on Lagoon 3 this afternoon, and the Mistle Thrush singing from Lagoon 1 again.

6/2/25 – Heather England reported the 2 Little Grebe on the lake and the male Black Redstart on the jetty. Otter with fish in mouth on lake.

Lovely photos of Little Grebes by HE and the Black Redstart by Nigel Jones (taken on 30th from Lagoon 2 towards waterworks).

5/2/25 – 2 Coot now on the lake.

4/2/25 – An adult male Marsh Harrier toured the site for an hour this morning (Shepperdine and Lagoons 2 & 3). And the Mistle Thrush singing from Lagoon 1 again.

3/2/25 – 44 Snipe pushed off seaweed by tide on shore by Lagoon 3, and a Golden Plover flying around with 60 Lapwing.

31/1/25 – Mother and young Otter in the lake at 2pm ! Watched for 10 minutes. Video1 and Video2.

30/1/25 – Louise Bailey reported a male Black Redstart on the jetty this morning.

29/1/25 – Andy Middleton had 2 male Black Redstart (either side of the jetty), 4 Stonechat, 34 Teal and 46 Wigeon, this afternoon. And the Coot and Little Grebe are back on the lake.

27/1/25 – My annual photo of the Snowdrops in the wood by the lake, giving the first hope of spring.

22/1/25 – A Golden Plover and 20 Snipe on the shore by Lagoon 3, and a Treecreeper in hedge there.

21/1/25 – A Mistle Thrush singing from Lagoon 1 this morning.

20/1/25 – A Treecreeper by the meadow and a Chiffchaff in the wood by the lake.

17/1/25 – The HT roost was relatively calm: 2 Ringed Plover (first for year), 1000 Dunlin, 150 Lapwing, 35 Redshank, 21 Oystercatcher and 20 Turnstone. And lots of courtship display already: 2 male Coal Tit singing at each other, Great Tit singing, Kestrel and Raven in vocal display flights, and the Great Spotted Woodpeckers have been going a bit crazy this week with lots of drumming and chasing (I think there are 3 pairs around) - video of drumming on street light !. (#84 species for me at OPS this year, and #85 for all-comers.)

16/1/25 – 6 Pintail (2m, 4f) on the estuary at the yacht club in the morning fog, and the pair of Stonechat still at the yacht club. And 2+ Otter on the lake at dawn.

14/1/25 – A Little Owl calling ("Whelk") for a couple of minutes at dawn, from inland of Pillhead Gout. (The last one at OPS was in Sept. 2023.) The HT roost was repeatedly chased by 2 Cocker Spaniels (again - see 4th). So all in the air were: 2 Grey Plover, c700 Dunlin, c250 Curlew, c120 Lapwing and 15 Turnstone. A juvenile Marsh Harrier was over Lagoon 3 (and also seen by Andy Middleton at Shepperdine and yacht club) - different bird to the one on 9th. AM's WeBS count: 21 Mallard, 22 Teal, 136 Wigeon, 134 Lapwing, 1500 Dunlin, 46 Snipe, 94 Canada Goose, 26 Redshank, 1 Water Rail and 4 Stonechat. (#82 species for me at OPS this year, and #83 for all-comers.)

12/1/25 – A pair of Common Scoter on the Tidal Res. this afternoon (stayed until dusk). Some video of them getting alarmed and diving as a Grey Heron approached too low ! (#80 species for me at OPS this year, and #81 for all-comers.)

10/1/25 – A cold and rather quiet bird-wise afternoon made it difficult to persist. But it was worth it, as I found my first over-wintering Common Sandpiper at OPS, in Oldbury Pill. (They have over-wintered before, but the last was in 2001 !) Then 10 Golden Plover were feeding with c50 Lapwing inland of the seawall towards Pillhead Gout. The lake was 99% frozen, with the Coot and 2 Moorhen in the small unfrozen corner by the outlet rhine. (#79 species for me at OPS this year, and #80 for all-comers.)

9/1/25 – A frosty (-2 degs C) morning. A 2nd-yr male Marsh Harrier on Lagoon 3 (photo below), a female Black Redstart on S side of towers, halfway up, in sun (photo below) and a Greylag with 85 Canada Goose roosting overnight on the Tidal res. (then flew to Littleton). The harrier flushed 35 Meadow Pipit and 2 Snipe. And a pair of Stonechat in the reeds by the lake (which was 80% frozen). (#77 species for me at OPS this year, and #78 for all-comers.)

7/1/25 – A Black Redstart very briefly among the pipes on SW side of SW-most building and 88 Canada Goose feeding in field. (#76 species for me at OPS this year, and #77 for all-comers.)

6/1/25 – 3 Shoveler downriver (2m, 1f). And the 3 Otter on the lake again at dawn. (#75 species for me at OPS this year, and #76 for all-comers.)

4/1/25 – A lot of birds seen from the yacht club at HT (all in the air, as for the 2nd HT running, inconsiderate dog owners let their dogs run loose all over the saltmarsh): a Black-tailed Godwit, c700 Dunlin, c30 Oystercatcher (Littleton), c50 Wigeon, 18 Shelduck, 30 Redshank, 120 Curlew and 120 Lapwing. And 6 Skylark on the saltmarsh. Also, Little Grebe, Grey Wagtail, Collared Dove and Goldcrest added to year-list. Plus Chiffchaff and Cetti's Warbler added to my year-list. (#74 species for me at OPS this year, and #75 for all-comers.)

Little Grebe asleep with a pair of Teal, and the Stonechat pair (L & Centre) with a Meadow Pipit.

3/1/25 – Matt Plenty reported 3 Cetti's Warbler (seen!). Also, Cormorant, Little Egret, Stock Dove and Linnet added to year-list. Woodcock and Chiffchaff reported on Birdtrack. (#67 species for me at OPS this year, and #70 for all-comers.)

2/1/25 – 63 species seen this morning: a Treecreeper, 1 Coal Tit, 11 Bullfinch (inc. flock of 8), all the common raptors (2 Peregrine, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard). a Greylag with 91 Canada Goose, a pair of Gadwall at Shepperdine, a pair of Stonechat (waterworks), 2 Jay, a Water Rail (heard), 8 Snipe, a Skylark, 3 Rock Pipit, a Raven, 20+ Oystercatcher and a Mistle Thrush. (No Goldcrest, Little Egret or Black Redstart.) An amazing encounter with 3 Otter in the lake (female and 2 cubs) at dawn. The 2 youngsters were on the road side of the lake, with one actually seen on the bank. Then the female saw me and came shooting over straight for me. When it got to just 5 yards away it came full height out of the water and started soft-barking at me to warn me off - quite scary, as 4 foot long. At same time the young were making a mewing call. The female had a small fish in its mouth and went over to one of the young and I presume fed it. I then retreated. Incredible !